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NAC accuses INEC of bias over recognition

The National Chairman of the National Action Council (NAC) Rabia Rakad Cengiz has accused the Chairman of the Independent Electoral National Commission (INEC) Prof Mahmood…

The National Chairman of the National Action Council (NAC) Rabia Rakad Cengiz has accused the Chairman of the Independent Electoral National Commission (INEC) Prof Mahmood Yakubu of gender bias over his refusal to recognise her leadership of the party.

She told reporters today in Abuja that it is inexplicable that INEC would refuse to recognise a duly convened national convention of the party and elections of its national officers despite the presence of INEC officials at the convention.

“We were in court today (Wednesday) with INEC for refusing to recognise our convention held on 14 October 2017. Unfortunately the judge in person was not on seat and the case adjourned till 25 January 2018. We are trying to ensure that INEC recognise our convention and my election as the duly elected national chairman of our party.

“I am saying that INEC Chairman is gender bias. We have 46 political parties and only one woman is a national chairman of a political party. Now another woman emerged and INEC is refusing to accept that, why?” Cengiz said.

According to her the party has been grounded for 15 years and only one chairman has been in charge since the formation of the party despite the misfortunes of the party.

She said: “Before now we do not even have office in Abuja, we do not have structures. The party was in a briefcase of one man and because of this INEC deregisters us in 2011. We were back in 2016 and as members we are trying to see how to give life to this party. I am pleading to INEC chairman to allow our party to have life.

“As I speak the Kano and Delta states chapters have filed in candidates for local government elections but because of the refusal of INEC to recognise our choice, it is making us to be retarded. INEC chairman should tell Nigerians why he is refusing to recognise our duly convened convention after meeting the 21-day notice and other procedures. INEC chairman should appreciate and encourage us, thus I am urging Nigerian women to come and contest in our party.”

The party last October elected a 15-man National Executive Committee (NEC) after a zoning formula on geo-political zones was adopted.

Apart from Hajiya Cengiz as the new National Chairman, Alhaji Tijani Idris was elected as the Deputy Chairman North, Chief Emeka Obi Deputy Chairman South, Comrade Remi Ayanlade National Secretary, Mr Willie William National Treasurer, Mazi Godspower Okoro Financial Secretary and Barrister Paul Ezenwa Publicity Secretary.

Others are Elder Balogun Samuel Organising Secretary, Isa Ibrahim Welfare Officer, Sani Idris

 Youth Leader, Amos Akindele Auditor, Lady Rita Oyom Woman Leader, Fatima Usman Deputy Woman Leader, Mr Tohwo Oseruvwoja Legal Adviser and Shiber Akuku Deputy National Secretary.

The election of Mrs Cengiz brought the number of female national chairmen of Nigerian parties to two after the election of Barrister Aye Georgina Dakpokpo as the national chairman of the Young Democratic Party (YDP).

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